Formatting palette problems

[kimnjerry]

Greetings.

My formatting palette does not list all of the functions available, and
I am unable to rectify the problem using the "customize" function.

Although all of the functions are checked, only "add objects," "fonts,"
and "change slides" appear in the palette. When I attempt to uncheck
all functions, the palette responds correctly (no functions appear);
however, when I re-check the functions using the "customize" menu, only
the above-mentioned items appear. I cannot access the "image" function
or any other options which appear in the "customize formatting palette"
box.

Can anyone tell me if there is a reset function for Powerpoint, or
another solution to this problem?

Thanks.

 

[CyberTaz]

The vast majority of the groupings are context-sensitive. They automatically
appear when appropriate & go away when of no use. When you first launch PPt
only the three groups you mention are visible, but if you click on a
placeholder 7 more get added:

Alignment & Spacing
Size, Rotation & Ordering
Bullets & Numbering
Colors, Weights & Fills
Shadow
Animation
Hyperlink

If you Insert a graphic or select something else the Palette will update
accordingly: i.e., click a line & the Arrows group shows up, click in blank
space & watch 'em disappear

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[kimnjerry]

Thanks, Bob.

However, unless I'm missing something, (a) when I select two objects, I
should be able to group them (I'm not; although the function does
appear...and I'd done this in earlier versions of PPT); and (b) when I
select an object, the "image" function should appear (it does not), and
I should be able to crop it (which I'd done from the "Draw" menu in
earlier versions).

Where am I going wrong?

 

[CyberTaz]

Sorry for the "basic" rundown, but you can't always tell the experience
level from a single post ... you'd be surprised how frequently the issue
is something as obvious as the user not having an object selected yet
expecting the complete palette content to display.

Is the problem in a *specific* file or does the same behavior exhibit in all
files (including a new, blank presentation)?

As to point (a), the first thing I would suspect is that you have at least
one object selected which can't be grouped with some other type of object
you're trying to group it with. For example: Title, SubTitle & Bulleted List
placeholders can't be included in a grouping... neither with other objects
nor with each other. To test it just draw & select 2 rectangles to see if
the Group option activates. Is the command available in the contextual menu
if you Control+Click selected objects?

As far as (b), that could be a problem, but I can't tell for certain without
knowing more about what _type_ of object you're dealing with. If you're
certain it is an object that qualifies as a picture & should be "cropable"
try doing the Control+Click thingy to get into the formatting dialog to see
if the features are available there.

If it turns out that you aren't being deceived by the program I think the
fix should just be a matter of trashing the PPt preferences (while the
program is shut down) then relaunching to have it create a new prefs file.